About Nordic Academy New Zealand 

Sandro Roth  Managing Director Nordic Academy New Zealand Nordic Walking Master Trainer Diploma in Exercise Science, Level 6 (WelTec, Wellington)

Sandro moved to NZ in 2002 from the Alpine regions of Switzerland where he was a passionate cross-country skier and Tri/Duathlete. When he first saw people doing Nordic Walking in Switzerland he thought it was just a strange looking form of cross-country skiing.

However in 2006, after completing his Diploma in Exercise Science at Weltec, he returned home to Switzerland and could not believe how the trend of Nordic walking had taken off! So many people were partaking in the sport as part of their weekly exercise program.

After his initial reservations he gave it a go and was surprised at the health benefits that Nordic Walking had to offer. The accessibility and rehabilitative aspects of Nordic walking grew on Sandro and he became hooked. He became so passionate about the sport that on his return to Wellington in early 2007 he liaised with local councils and began to offer Nordic Walking classes around the region.

Sandro is excited to see the benefits that everyone gains from taking part, from the rehabilitative patient to the recreational walker to the semi-professional athlete. Why not take the opportunity to improve your fitness in a supportive and social group while enjoying the beautiful outdoors that NZ has to offer? Nordic Walking has something for everyone!

Andras Szucs Business Development Manager Nordic Walking Leader

Andras migrated to New Zealand in 2002 from Hungary. He has worked in the hospitality industry for the past 13 years, managing large catering and restaurant operations worldwide and in New Zealand. He is very passionate about sustainability and the environment. Through the friendship with Sandro he got introduced to Nordic Walking in 2007.

Andras got hooked by the fact that it is an outdoor and social full body workout, which is also time- and cost effective. He is now a qualified Nordic Walking Leader himself and hosts his own classes in the Wellington Region.

Nordic Academy New Zealand is in need of excellent people to join their team.

 

If you are an experienced instructor in health, fitness or sports, enjoy the outdoors, love working with people and are keen to be at the forefront of a remarkable industry trend then we would like to hear from you.  

We would like to hear from you. Contact Us 

 

About Nordic Academy 

Nordic Academy is the realisation of a dream by its founders, Patrick Burtscher and Maree Farnsworth, to share the benefits and enjoyment with as many others as possible.

Patrick and Maree were first involved in Nordic Walking during their time living in Austria. They were instant converts and it was not long until they had sought out the best instructors in Europe in which to train under.

In 2005 they moved back to Australia and immediately set to work with running local classes in metropolitan Melbourne under the name of 'Pole Attraction'. It wasn't long though until the training of new instructors, supplying equipment and promoting Nordic walking through any and every means soon became the main focus.

Years of comittment to quality service and products combined with their dedication to their vision saw their business and reputation grow to the point where change became necessary. Early in 2008 the business evolved into its present name and form so that its ability to reach more of the population could be achieved. 

Nordic Academy as it is now known, is the peak authority and leading national provider of all things Nordic walking. The heart of the business remains and will always be the passion for the truly wonderful activity of Nordic walking and the dedication to share its benefits with others.

Nordic Academy is the oceania representative of the independantly adminstrated international 'Nordic Walking Organisation'. 

About the Founders

Maree Farnsworth National Training  Manager of Nordic Academy International Nordic Walking Master Trainer (NWO Austria) B. App. Science in Human Movement (University of Ballarat)

Maree has been working in the health and fitness industries for over 15 years. Her experiences have included being manager of a corporate health club, an exercise physiologist at one of Australia's most respected health resorts, co-author of a women's healthy weight loss program, and a team trainer for a national business development company.

These positions have enabled Maree to consult one on one, present seminars, mentor groups and train other professionals all in order to assist thousands of different people achieve their personal health, fitness and wellbeing goals.

Maree discovered Nordic walking whilst living in Europe and is now passionate about and committed to the promotion and development of this amazing new fitness activity in Australia. "Nordic walking is truly one of the best ways to achieve holistic health - improve fitness, get outdoors, socialise and have fun. I just love it!"

 

Patrick Burtscher Managing Director of Nordic Academy Nordic Walking Master Trainer (NWO Austria) Bachelor of Education (Austria)

Patrick is a very experienced educator, having worked in different disciplines across different fields of teaching and instruction.  In his home country of Austria he was a school teacher and headmaster, an alpine ski instructor and was a coach of tennis and rock climbing. He is dedicated to and masterful at bringing out the best in people so they can achieve and enjoy the feeling of doing and being their personal best.

Being a bit sceptic at first, once Patrick tried Nordic Walking he became an instant convert – swapping from jogging to Nordic Walking to maintain his own fitness.  “Nordic Walking suits me because I get the fitness benefit without the strain and impact on my joints and ligaments which get aggravated by most other sports.”